LSU snags St. Augustine cornerback Tyrann Mathieu

St. Augustine cornerback Tyrann Mathieu’s emergence this summer as an elite prospect has been meteoric to say the least.

His reaction time in accepting a football scholarship offer from LSU Coach Les Miles on Tuesday night in Miles’ office was far faster.

“Seconds’’ was how Mathieu characterized the separation between acceptance and offer.

“LSU has been on the top of my list of college choices, so that kind of made my choice an easy one,’’ Mathieu added. “I knew I was going to commit if they offered me.’’

Mathieu, 5 feet 10, 175 pounds, with 4.48 speed in the 40, is the ninth in-state player to commit to the Tigers. LSU coaches project him as a cornerback and possibly a punt returner.

Mathieu is the second corner added to the 2010 class along with Newman’s Ronnie Vinson Jr. Mathieu was recruited by LSU running backs coach Larry Porter.

“I like the atmosphere, the history, the vibe you get when you come on campus,’’ Mathieu said. “It’s like home. I like the players there and the character they have.’’

Mathieu had other official offers from Tulane, USM, SMU, Florida International, Miami of Ohio, Louisiana-Monroe and Hampton. An offer from Tennessee was expected, particularly since Mathieu burst into national prominence during a brilliant performance at the Tennessee Skill Camp June 3 in Knoxville where fellow campers began referring to Mathieu as “The Truth.’’

“That’s actually when everything started for him,’’ said new St. Augustine coach David Johnson, who attended the UT camp, said. “That’s when everybody heard about him. (Tennessee coaches) really liked him. It was his first time to be on the national scene. I think they were trying to wait and see what was going to happen with him.’’

Mathieu cemented his LSU offer with an impressive three-day run in Baton Rouge in which he he starred for St. Aug during LSU’s 7-on-7 passing tournament Saturday, returned home to New Orleans and then returned Monday for two outstanding days of work at the LSU High School Summer Camp.

The Purple Knights, with Mathieu leading the way, won the 7-on-7 team championship. In the championship game against LakeCharles-LaGrange, and with LSU’s coaches present, Mathieu recorded four interceptions and scored three touchdowns as a receiver via receptions.

“I thought he did a great job at the LSU camp,’’ Johnson said. “(LSU’s coaches) had a chance to see him for almost the entire weekend. Then he got the chance to go against some top competition in kids from Texas and Florida at LSU’s camp. He did well against them. I’m not surprised. He’s a kid you really can’t pass up.’’

“I knew what I could do and the expectations I had for myself,’’ Mathieu said. “I just kind of took the opportunity when it came to show people I could play ball. I’m a football player. I’m just ready to play ball.’’

Mathieu is preparing for his third year as a starter in the Catholic League after earning All-District honors as a sophomore and junior. He recorded 75 tackles, 15 for losses, had three interceptions and blocked a field goal for a touchdown.

Mathieu is not yet qualified academically and is scheduled to take the ACT for the first time on Sept. 12, but Johnson said he believes that, “(Mathieu) is going to be a full qualifier.’’

As a cover back, Mathieu has few peers.

“He really is one of the best kids that I’ve ever seen,’’ said Johnson, who coached for four years at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., along with previous high school coaching stops at St. Aug and O. Perry Walker. “It’s rare for a kid in high school to have the patience, the skill level and foot work that Tyrann has. He’s a totally different kid off of the field. He’s quiet. But on the field he’s trying to make every play. He’s got some of the best skills that I’ve ever seen.’’

Mathieu is the first St. Augustine product successfully recruited by LSU in nearly five years dating to the Tigers’ signing of defensive end Rahim Alem in 2005. Alem was known as Al Jones during his St. Aug playing career.

LSU also signed safety Chad Jones, Alem’s younger brother and a former St. Aug player, in 2007. Chad Jones played his final two seasons at Southern Lab after relocating to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina.